Slowly But Surely

Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

After a very long and boring class, Marinette stayed behind with Chloe before going to their next class. She looked up to see Alya at the door.

"Waiting for someone?" Marinette asked coldly.

"Yes, actually, I'm waiting for you." Alya said, nervous but determined.

"Chloe, go on, I'll catch up with you later."

Chloe shot a worried look at Marinette before leaving the classroom.

"Well, go ahead, why were you waiting for me?"Marinette asked.

At that moment, the rest of the class appeared.

"Marinette, Lila told us." Alya said harshly.

"She told you what?" Marinette asked, completely baffled.

Thoughts began to race in her mind.

Lila didn't know that she was Ladybug... right?

"She told us how you've been stealing her designs because you thought she was a liar." Nino said, his eyes hardening.

"Well, when did I do it? I have about a dozen witnesses that can tell you where I was. "

"I-it happened after school." Lila sniffled.

Marinette looked at Adrien. He avoided her gaze and squirmed uncomfortably.

Coward.

"Well, if that's all you have to say to me, can I go now?" Marinette asked calmly.

"You're not even going to apologize to Lila? That's it? Marinette, how could you?" Alya said in disbelief.

"I'm not going to apologize, because I did nothing wrong. I'm not going to defend myself either, because you'll find a way to make it look like I'm bullying Lila."

And with that, she slammed the door and went out to meet Chloe.

"Hey, what did they want to talk about?" Chloe asked.

"Just some stuff about how I've been copying Lila's designs." Marinette said nonchalantly.

Chloe snorted in derision.

"They really are dumb, aren't they?" CHloe said, unable to hide the laugh in her voice.

"Yup." Marinette said.

"Well, I have to go home now, so I'll see you tomorrow?" She asked.

"Okay! See you tomorrow!" Chloe called.

Marinete waited until CHloe's car was completely out of sight before moving. Suddenly, it dawned upon her. Chloe was on the ground floor. She would be able to tell who comes in and out of the house. She decided to stop by Luka's house.

She wasn;t sure why, but maybe they could hang out. She hoped that she would get to the houseboat before Juleka did, that way she could talk to him.The boat was docked so Marinette could easily knock on the door.

"Hello?" She called out.

Luka's mom opened the door.

"Hi, Marinette, it's good to see you." She said.

"Is Luka home?" She asked.

"Yes, he's in his room, let me show you.."

She led Marinette to Luka's room, and her mom knocked.